Federal Legislation & Libraries

All types of libraries–public, school, academic, federal and research–are resources the American public use to find jobs, support education and lifelong learning, gain access to information and telecommunications services, empower their families, and engage in civic activities. By promoting literacy, advancing research and connecting communities, libraries serve as “agents for change” and offer individuals at all stages of life and in all types of communities access to information and education and to develop essential skills needed to function in the digital age.

The role of the American Library Association’s Washington Office is to advocate at the federal level for legislation that preserves and promotes fundamental library values by lobbying Congress, partnering and working with others “inside the Beltway” and beyond and engaging in grassroots advocacy on behalf of the public.

Federal Library Funding
What is federal funding? Federal funding is the money for libraries that comes from the U.S. government. The majority of federal library program funds are distributed through the Institute of Museum and Library Services to each state.